Rip-Off Report

October 03, 2006

I've done business with lots of folks over the years. B y far, the majority have been reputable, honest folks who gave me what I was owed.

However, there have been a few bad apples in the mix as well. They are the ones who make you leery of doing business with the next guy.

Word of mouth among friends and acquaintances is an effective way to spread the word about the losers. But it's far from the best way. Word doesn't get out far enough.

Today's FamilyFirst site strives to solve that problem. It's called Rip-Off Report. Here's their mission:

We created the Rip-Off report for everyday consumers who are concerned about being cheated. The Rip-Off report allows YOU, the consumer, to be armed with the opinions and comments of your fellow consumers. Browse the Rip-Off reports for free! Be shocked, be dismayed, but most of all, be informed. The data contained in this site will allow you to make enlightened decisions when dealing with companies and individuals. While it must be understood that the statements made in these reports are not guaranteed to be accurate, this site can be a powerful tool in making decisions and choosing whom you want to do business with.

My take on the site? There are a whole lot of people out there getting ripped off. It's almost depressing. But word is getting out.

Contemplating doing business with a company? It might be a good idea to do a search on them here. Reading through the comments, it should become clear if there is a real problem with the company or if it's a matter of an individual who has simply failed to pursue a legitimate refund properly.

There is a lot of raw emotion here. There is also good information. Since all comments are posted, you'll have to do some digging to separate one from another. One thing's for sure: it's fascinating.

http://www.badbusinessbureau.com